Sing with Your Heart

Narrator: The meaning of Christmas - so many wonderful things associated with that wonderful day. Please join us as we explore the many wonderful gifts that came along with the best gift of all: Jesus Christ.

Setting: Kids sitting around, making decorations, wrapping gifts. Tristan starts off the play with a short drum roll....kids begin talking amongst themselves, but get quiet when Georgia begins to speak.

Georgia: I just love all of the Christmas lights and decorations. The tree, tinsel, garland, bows and ornaments - well, they all just make me want to... to... to SING!
(Jump up and start singing: Rocking around the Christmas tree, have a happy holiday... everyone dancing merrily...)

Tristan: Oh, no! Not now Georgia. I want to read something to you.

Alyssa: No, no, Christmas makes me think about all of the cool things I will get from my family! I've dropped LOTS of hints this year. I want a new mp3 player! (She looks up, where a poster-board thought bubble with a drawing of an mp3 player will pop up behind her mysteriously, then disappear....)

Gabby: I just want my two front teeth for Christmas! (Gabby sings the first verse of All I want for Christmas, as two poster-board teeth dance in the background...)

Tristan: You haven't even lost your two front teeth! Now listen...

Teala: I want a HIPPO for Christmas!

All: A WHAT? (A cardboard hippo cutout, complete with tutu and hair bow, makes it's way across the stage behind children while Alyssa and Teala sing)

Alyssa: (singing) I want a hippopotomous for Christmas! Only a hippopotomous will do...(skips to the middle...) I can see me now on Christmas morning creeping down the stairs... when I open up my eyes, I get a big surprise to see my hippo hero standing there!

Tristan: Seriously! Listen!

Teala singing: I want a hippopotomous for Christmas... only a hippopotomous will do!

Jackson: I heard my teacher say that Christmas was about the joy and magic of childhood... like on Polar Express! I love Christmas movies.

Jasmine: (interrupts, singing) "Children, Sleeping....."

Jackson: No! Better is (singing) "Frosty the Snowman, was a jolly happy soul." Or wait, "Rudolph the red nosed reindeer, had a very shiny nose! (Teala joins in singing) And if you ever saw it, you would even say it glows..."

Tristan: Guys! The meaning of Christmas is...

Aureawn: I always get sad when I think about people who miss their family at Christmas. When my Daddy was in Iraq during Christmas, I was so sad. There are lots of people who have loved ones that can't be with them on Christmas.

Sevun: Yeah, I know what you mean...(striking an Elvis pose, putting on sunglasses, popping collar to white shirt and singing) "I'll have a blue Christmas without you...."

Tristan: People! That's not it at all! And no, it isn't SANTA, either!

All singing: "You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout I'm telling you why! (Elves and Santa cutouts peek over the backdrop)

Matt: Guys! Listen. Tristan has been trying to tell you something for a long time.

Tristan: There are lots of wonderful things about Christmas! Yes, during the season we all feel joyful and generous and excited! We like to sing and decorate, and sip hot chocolate by the fire, while we prepare for family to visit, or Santa to bring gifts, but we need to remember the real reason that we come together to enjoy all of those things.

Erica: The real meaning is remembrance, reverence, praise, worship, thanksgiving, and celebration of the the greatest gift ever given to each one of us: the birth of Christ! The biggest gift that any of us will ever receive came from God on a cold winter's night many years ago, in the form of a tiny baby. Matt, will you read us the story?

Tristan: Finally! And hear it is, the real meaning of Christmas!

Matt: Reads Luke 2:1-20 from the Bible

Aureawn: That reminds me of a song... (Georgia, Alyssa, Aureawn, Teala, and Jasmine sing the first verse of Away in A Manger) (Baby Jesus is brought out and placed in manger)

Jasmine: Will you please join us as we sing the next two verses?

Congregation sings last two verses, then:

Alyssa: Let's all sing "Silent Night".

Jackson: What a wonderful gift from God. The savior. A tiny baby - destined to be our Savior. It makes me feel joyful! Let's all sing "Joy to the World!

Georgia: Thank you very much for joining us. As we prepare to go our separate ways this week let's not forget. As we leave individually, let us collectively keep our hearts and minds on the reason for the season - Jesus Christ.